Health care providers in Lenoir County — and around the state and nation — are dealing with one of the most intense flu seasons in a decade, but the frequency of cases could be on its down slope.

“Comparatively speaking, this is a very intense, very robust flu season that we’re experiencing right now,” Lenoir County Health Director Joey Huff said Monday.

At least 14 people have died from the flu in North Carolina during the current season.

While health officials do not keep a number on the total amount of flu cases per season, Huff said the state maintains a network of hospitals, primary care physicians, clinics and other health care providers who report the percentage of cases in which patients report the flu or flu-like illnesses.

He said 2 to 3 percent of patients report the flu or flu-like illnesses during a typical flu season, which usually runs from January through March — the 2012-2013 season also started earlier than usual last month.

Huff said about 8 percent of patients across the state have reported the flu during the current season.

“The percentage seems to be declining or leveling off a little bit, and that could be an indicator we’re reaching our peak,” he explained.

Local, state and federal health officials still urge those who have not already gotten a flu vaccine to get one.

They are available locally at the Health Department, the Kinston Community Health Center, a variety of area pharmacies and more. They can be had at a cost ranging from $20 to $32, and most insurance plans cover the vaccines.

Many people obtained flu shots after learning the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised last month of a particularly virulent strain of the flu making the rounds this season, H3N2.

“In the month of December, we’ve seen a 131 percent increase over December last year,” said Stephanie Grady, store manager of the Walgreens on North Herritage Street in Kinston.

Grady said there has been an “influx” of people coming to Walgreens for flu shots, a process which can take about 15 minutes per person.

Each vaccine costs $31.99, and most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, will cover the cost. They are available on a walk-in basis.

Residents can also obtain flu shots at the Health Department for $25 each — Huff said the vaccine is free for people older than age 65.

“We have plenty of vaccine and plenty of available appointment times,” Huff said.

Flu shots are available at the Health Department on Mondays and Thursdays. Residents should call 252-526-4200, ext. 0 for an appointment.

Anna Kinsey, community outreach director for the Kinston Community Health Center, said many employees of the Health Center have reported having the flu and having it longer than usual.

Page 2 of 2 - “There’s a lot of employees that have been out because of the flu, and it seems like they’re holding on to their nasal congestion and their sore throats,” she said.

Kinsey said many patients are also reporting having the flu longer.

“It just seems like the symptoms are more intense than last year and the symptoms are staying longer, even after antibiotics,” she said.

Hospitals around the state, including Lenoir Memorial Hospital, have restricted hospital visits by people who show flu symptoms.

“It’s always dangerous to try and give predictions about flu season, but we seem to be at about the peak, if it follows the traditional patterns,” Dr. Megan Davies, the state epidemiologist, told the News & Observer last week. “That peak should last about two to four weeks, and then gradually things should start to taper off, which would take four to six weeks.”

David Anderson can be reached at 252-559-1077 or David.Anderson@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at DavidFreePress.